By Deborah Larsen
Charles Meehan Johnson
Charles Meehan Johnson was born in Detroit, Michigan, on June 7, 1915, the son of Charles and Margaret Meehan Johnson. Charles grew up in Royal Oak, Michigan, but his family moved to Rochester in 1941 and lived on Terry Street.
In June 1942, Charles entered the U.S. Army. He was assigned to Company I, 321st Infantry Regiment of the 81st Infantry Division and sent overseas to the Pacific Theater in June 1944. On September 25, 1944, Charles and his regiment joined the 1st Marine Division in the battle to take Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands chain. Charles was killed in action during that battle.
Charles Meehan Johnson died at age 29 on September 25, 1944, and was laid to rest at White Chapel Cemetery.